Thursday, March 24, 2016

When Music Mattered: Miles Davis - "Bitches Brew" (1970)

The only thing I looked up for this review was the date the album was released. Other than that, I am going to write this review the same way Miles Davis wrote Bitches Brew - by feel. When Davis decided to record Bitches Brew, he brought in the best jazz and improv musicians he could find and only gave them outlines of ideas. Miles had some bass riffs thought out and he had some parts pre-arranged, but the large majority of Bitches Brew was recorded live in the studio with everyone following Miles. The result shows just why Miles Davis will always be considered one of the most brilliant musicians to ever live.

Bitches Brew is one of those albums that people either love or hate. It is an album that people either feel the groove, or think the whole thing is just noise. I have to admit that when I first listened to it, I was one of those people who thought it was noise. Then I put on a set of headphones and cleared my schedule to give Bitches Brew a real listen. I wound up listening to it three or four times in a row that day, and I listen to it at least once every day since then.

It is really hard to describe to people who don't understand Bitches Brew why it is so great. I will admit, there are moments it is obvious that Miles has stumbled onto something and the rest of the band is trying to catch up. But once they do, the music shoots off into its own stratosphere and stays there just long enough. Is this Pink Floyd type improv? No, this is something completely different that speaks the same language as a band like Pink Floyd, but in a different dialect.

Once you allow yourself to be immersed in the music, it starts to trigger images in your mind that clash and dance together at the same time. When you like this album, it is because it has an emotional effect on you. It is an experience to sit and listen to this album, and no two listenings are exactly the same. No matter how many times you listen to Bitches Brew, you get something new out of it every time.

From its provocative cover art to its legion of 5-star reviews, Bitches Brew blazed a trail for jazz fusion to become something acceptable by mainstream listeners. The people who do not understand Bitches Brew, probably never will. I know a lot of people who love this album, and they cut through many aspects of the musical spectrum. The only thing you need to be to appreciate Bitches Brew is a serious music fan. Even Deadheads appreciate Bitches Brew, and I have first-hand knowledge of this from someone we all know.

Bitches Brew climbs at the right times, stays in one place when it needs to, and propels itself to new dimensions from time to time. The great thing about Bitches Brew is that the part that sent you into outer space yesterday, won't even get you started when you listen to it tomorrow. Bitches Brew is one of those unique albums that offers a different emotional impact each time you listen to it, which is why everyone should listen to this album at least once in their lives.

Rating: 5 out of 5

George N Root III prefers to live in the past, and his choice of music proves that. You can follow him on Twitter @georgenroot3 or send him a message at georgenroot3@gmail.com. When Miles is done melting George's mind for the day, George may return your message.